Following recent NFL roster cuts, multiple Philadelphia Eagles players capitalized on being able to change to newly available jersey numbers. Here’s a very important update for you since I’m the definitive authority on all things related to #JerseyNumberAnalytics.
OVERVIEW
CHANGES ON THE ROSTER
QB Cole Payton — from No. 10 to No. 18
CB Jonathan Jones — from No. 32 to No. 31
LS Rocco Underwood — from No. 37 to No. 41
CHANGES ON INJURED RESERVE
S Andre’ Sam — from No. 31 to No. 32
PRACTICE SQUAD: CHANGES AND NEW ADDITIONS
RB Jaydon Blue — No. 30
CB Robert Longerbeam — No. 38
EDGE Mason Reiger — No. 43
OL
Kiran Amegadjie — No. 73
WR Britain Covey — from No. 18 to No. 85
…
Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis.
JERSEY NUMBER ANALYTICS
COLE PAYTON
Payton was previously sharing No. 10 with Eagles punter Braden Mann. Having two players with the same jersey numbers is allowed during the offseason when there’s up to 90 spots on the roster. But it’s obviously not permitted in the regular season. And so either Payton or Mann had to change … and it’s not surprising to see the onus was on the fourth-string rookie quarterback.
Payton is the first Eagles quarterback to wear No. 18 since Josh McCown last did in 2019. I liked No. 10 for Payton more than I like No. 18. But now he wear the same number that Peyton Manning used to sport. Therefore: Cole Payton Manning. Boom. Hall of Fame trajectory.
JONATHAN JONES
Jones dropped down one number to go back to the No. 31 he’s worn since entering the league in 2016. Entirely sensible decision. He’ll be a cromulent option if he has to play.
ROCCO UNDERWOOD
Underwood and his fellow undrafted rookie Tucker Large, who is on the reserve/non-football injury list, were sharing No. 37 this offseason. Maybe not the best sign for Underwood that he’s the one who had to change? But I’m guessing it’s actually the long snapper who wanted to change to No. 41 — which was previously held by Tariq Castro-Fields — to be one number away from his college look at Florida: No. 42. Long snapper numbers are typically never pretty so No. 41 is fine for Underwood.
ANDRE’ SAM
Sam suffered what seemed to be a season-ending injury during the Eagles’ final preseason game … and now he doesn’t at least get to keep his number while on injured reserve?! Poor guy. Hope he was able to get some money or something from Jonathan Jones to flip from No. 31 to No. 32. Maybe Sam is just so much of a team guy that he wanted Jones to have it.
JAYDON BLUE
Blue wore No. 34 during the preseason last year. Then he changed to No. 23 in the regular season as a rookie, which is the same number he wore at Texas. That’s too flashy of a number for being one of three running backs on the practice squad. No. 30 is a more humble look for him. Also like a non-20s number for a smaller guy who profiles in part as a pass-catching back.
ROBERT LONGERBEAM
Much like Longerbeam might have to bide his time to find snaps on the Eagles (given that he has six cornerbacks ahead of him on the roster), he will have to be patient and wait until a better jersey number becomes available. No. 38 was previously worn by Ambry Thomas, who was not very good this summer prior to getting cut. Longerbeam previously wore No. 37 with the Ravens after wearing No. 7 at Rutgers. Maybe Longerbeam takes No. 7 after Kelee Ringo potentially leaves the Eagles in free agency after the 2026 season.
MASON REIGER
Previously held by Jose Ramirez (who just signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad), No. 43 is a tough one. He wore No. 22 in college, which isn’t a bad number by any means, but it’s not a fit for an edge rusher. He then had No. 90 with the Miami Dolphins earlier this year. Reiger will have to prove he eventually deserves an upgrade. He should aim for No. 97, which will be open after Moro Ojomo signs a huge contract with another team in March 2027.
KIRAN AMEGADJIE
Amegadjie wore No. 72 with Yale and the Chicago Bears. With Markel Bell already holding that number in Philly, he’s moving up a number to take the No. 73 left behind by Cameron Williams. Totally acceptable look for his developmental tackle role.
BRITAIN COVEY
Covey was a victim of Payton having to change out of No. 10. The rookie quarterback took No. 18 to force Covey into No. 85, which he briefly had after rejoining the team last year. Too big of a number for such a small receiver. Stock down.
If the Eagles decide to stop keeping four quarterbacks, Covey might look to go after No. 14 (Andy Dalton) or No. 16 (Tanner McKee)? Or maybe Payton could take one of those numbers and Covey could get No. 18 back?
